Japanese wanted for robbery, extortion nabbed in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Francis Allan L. Angelo

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives arrested a Japanese wanted by authorities in Tokyo for robbery, extortion and involvement in telecommunications fraud.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the captured alien as 43-year-old Yohhei Yano, who was arrested on Jan. 17, 2023 at Guimbal Port, Iloilo by operatives from the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU).

The operation was conducted in coordination with police from Barotac Nuevo and Guimbal, Iloilo, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Angeles City Field Unit (CFU), CIDG Iloilo CFU, and Philippine Navy personnel.

Tansingco said Yano was arrested at the request of the Japanese authorities in Manila which sought the BI’s help in locating the fugitive.

Based on a verified report submitted by authorities, Yano allegedly conspired with Nakamura Sho in a robbery incident that happened on Feb 6, 2020 at Heaven’s Kaitori Center, Kubota, Yokkaichi-city, Mie prefecture in Japan.

They allegedly attacked the victim with a tear gas spray and knife before stealing more than 3 million Japanese yen and 70 gold items with historical value.

Yano also turned over to the arresting team a caliber .9mm pistol, two magazines with 29 rounds of ammunition, and a license to own and possess firearm ID issued to a certain Emma Bantolo Tugado.

“He will be deported for being an undesirable alien, as he is a fugitive from justice,” Tansingco said.

BI-FSU chief Rendel Ryan Sy disclosed that an arrest warrant was issued by the summary court in Yakkaichi, Japan on Aug. 4, 2022 after charges of robbery and extortion were filed against him before the same court.

Judge Abe Akihiko of the Yokkaichi Summary Court, Japan issued the warrant on Aug 4, 2022 for the crime of Robbery, Physical Violence and Act on Penal Provisions related to Economic Activities.

Sy also bared that Yano is being investigated for involvement in the illegal activities of a Japanese syndicate that was said to have operated a telecom fraud racket in 2019.

“He is also an undocumented alien as his passport was already revoked by the Japanese government,” Sy said.

The suspect is now detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Julius Jacinto, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Iloilo field unit chief commander, the suspect has been living at Barangay Binanua-an, Guimbal, Iloilo, for several years already.

He was living with his Filipina wife, who just gave birth to their fourth child.

Yano was charged for robbing an establishment with money and gold items. He went hiding after that.

He was reportedly often seen at a casino in Iloilo City. He was also monitored to be going to Pototan and San Miguel towns and in Guimaras province.

“Palagi daw maraming pera kahit wala naman negosyo,” Jacinto said.

It is believed that his accomplices in Japan regularly sent him money.